David Bahn – Reflections

John 1:1-5, 14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God is not simply an idea. God is not merely a thought or a philosophy. Christianity is not just a way of life or a belief system. All these things took on human flesh 2000 years ago and we have seen grace and truth in the flesh. This is a profound mystery! How could it be that God could take on human flesh? How can it be that the creator of the universe could become a baby? How can it be that God could care for us so much and go so far for us and allow so much to happen to himself to save us? This is a mystery well worth pondering on this day of celebration!

But this is also such a great blessing to us! Think of it: God has come to redeem and save us. God has taken on human flesh so that we may be with him. God has shown us the truth of our condition, but also the truth of what we may be by his grace through faith. God has also embodied all of his grace – his goodness, riches, affections, compassion, and essence – into this baby whose birth we celebrate today.

But make no mistake: this baby will grow up. He will challenge, invite, teach, confront, heal, bless, and confound. In the end he will die on the cross for our sins and be raised from the grave for our salvation. This grace and truth and word made flesh baby is our King, Savior, and Lord. He is no concept or idea. He is real and the embodiment of God for us.

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.